Wednesday, April 25, 2012

BJP MLA may face criminal charges in 2002 murder case

Express news service : Ahmedabad, Sat Apr 14 2012, 05:46 hrsIn a development that is likely to pave the way for criminalprosecution of BJP MLA from Radhanpur Shankar Chaudhary and someothers in connection with two murders reported in 2002, one of theaccused has withdrawn his petition challenging an order of amagisterial court to initiate criminal process against them.According to the details available, two youths were killed by a mob atRadhanpur in Banaskantha district on March 1, 2002 during thepost-Godhra riots. However, police had registered a case of riotingand stated the two persons were killed in police firing.Against this, one Nanubhai Sheth had lodged a court complaint against12-13 persons, including Chaudhary, holding them responsible for themurders. Court had ordered an inquiry into the case and subsequentlyordered criminal process against the accused.However, police had submitted a summary report in the case saying theyhave added murder charge in the earlier FIR in which it was statedthat the two persons were killed in police firing. But the concernedmagisterial court did not accept the summary report and ordered toinitiate criminal proceedings further.Against this order, an accused — Vinod Goklani — had approached theGujarat High Court and the court had quashed the order of themagisterial court. This order was challenged at the Supreme Court andthe apex court had remanded matter back to the HC to decide it afreshafter giving hearing to the complainant.The matter was heard by the HC on Friday. During the hearing,Goklani’s lawyer chose to withdraw the petition.

Teesta Setalvad

Teesta Setalvad is an educationist, journalist and human rights activist who has been committed to an egalitarian and diverse India, at the forefront of the struggle for justice equality and non discrimination. She co edits Communalism Combat heads and directs Education for a Plural India programme and is Secretary of Citizens for Justice and Peace. CJP is a Mumbai based trust committed to accountability, transparency and punishment to perpetrators of mass crimes within Indian democracy.